The Cannabis Industry Council (CIC) has published a good practice guide for prescription cannabis clinics in the UK.
The guidance includes 10 principles of good practice and five specific policies for clinics to implement. The good practice guide encourages ethical and responsible operations, builds industry collaboration, and delivers improved patient outcomes.
The guide comes as the UK medical cannabis industry is experiencing rapid growth. There are over 40 clinics and around 140 prescribers in the private cannabis industry. The number of items prescribed by medical cannabis clinics has doubled each year since 2021.
According to figures published in response to an FOI request from the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), the number of items for private prescribing of unlicensed cannabis-based medicines rose from 6137 in September 2021, to 22,431 in September 2023, an increase of 83%
The CIC good practice guide is intended to supplement the work of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), an independent regulator that monitors the performance of cannabis clinics in the UK. The CIC guidance avoids creating new regulatory bodies, additional costs, or unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, instead focusing on practical measures to improve patient care.
The 10 principles of good practice are broadly as follows:
- Regulator Compliance – Clinics must register with the CQC and adhere to relevant regulations. Prescribers must be on the GMC Specialist Register and have indemnity insurance.
- Clinic Oversight – Clinics must have a Registered Manager responsible for compliance with CQC regulations and the oversight of all policies and procedures.
- Staffing and Initial Training – Clinics must ensure adequate staffing, with all patient-facing staff trained in cannabis medicine and customer care.
- Ongoing Reviews – Regular reviews of prescriptions and patient outcomes should be conducted to ensure safety and compliance.
- Prescriptions – Clinics should have policies for both face-to-face and remote consultations, Prescriptions must be based on thorough patient evaluations, including GP records.
- Product Quality – All prescribed products must meet regulatory standards for purity and quality, including compliance with applicable standards.
- Data Protection and Sharing – Clinics must maintain appropriate clinical records, ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and patient confidentiality.
- Advertising and Marketing – Advertising must comply with applicable Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Blue Book guidelines.
- Complaints Process – A transparent and accessible complaints process must be in place, allowing patients to raise issues confidentially and ensuring quick and fair resolutions.
- Linked Pharmacy – Clinics may have a linked pharmacy, but patients should not feel pressured to use a specific pharmacy.
“The Cannabis Industry Council believes that prescription cannabis clinics must ensure that they are operating ethically and responsibly, to further enhance trust among patients and stakeholders,” said CIC Co-Chairs Jamie Bartley and Dr Callie Seaman.
“By following these guidelines, clinics can showcase their commitment to good practice and improved patient outcomes.
“The CIC looks forward to engaging with clinics on this guidance, and supporting their pivotal role within our healthcare system.”
To view the good practice guide, please visit – https://www.cicouncil.org.uk/app/uploads/2024/10/CIC24_10-Good-Practice-Guide-for-Medical-Cannabis-Clinics.pdf
